Fence-machine



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W. H. MOGREW.

FENCE MACHINE.

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(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2. W. H. M0GREW- EENCE MACHINE.

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UNiTnn STATES PATENT rFicE.

VILLIAM H. MCGREVV, OF PERU, INDIANA.

FENcE-MACHlNE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 414,817', datedNovember 12, 1889.

Application led May 3l, 1889. Serial No. 312,707. (No model.)

To all whom, t may 0071.007171,.-

Be itfknown that I, WILLIAM l-I. MCGREW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Peru, in the county of Miami and State of Indiana, haveinvented a new and useful Fence- Machine, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to machines for constructing thatclass of fenceswhich are made of slats and wire; and it has for its object to constructa machine. by the use of. which the slats may be maintained in aperpendicular position while the construction of the fence V is inprogress, by means of which the tension of the wires may be equalizedand regulated, and which may be readily converted so as to weave orconstruct a fence with any desired number of; strands of wire.

lVith these ends in view the invention consists inthe improvedconstruction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will behereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

1n the drawings hereto annexed, Figure 1 is a perspective View showingmy improved fence-machine in the process of constructing a fence. Fig. 2is a detail perspective view of the twisting mechanism andsupportingframe. Fig. 8 is a horizontal transverse sectional view takenthrough one of the twisting-heads and the frame. Fig. 4 is a detailperspective View of one of the twisting-heads and the boxing for thesame removed from the frame. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View of thetension mechanism. Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of one of thedrums or cylinders and one of the washers that form a part of thetension mechanism.

The same letters refer to the same parts in all the figures of thedrawings.

A designates a vertical frame composed of two side pieces B B, connectedby means of bolts C C,having thumb-nuts, by means of which the said sidepieces may be conveniently clamped or tightened, so as to retain inVposition a series of boxes D D, in which the twisting-heads E E arejournaled in such a manner as lto be capable of revolving freely. Thesides of the boxes D D are provided with wedge-shaped iianges D4, andthe inner sides of the frame-pieces B B are provided with correspondingwedge shaped recesses B5, located at various distances apart to receivesaid flanged boxes, which may thus be adj usted to enable' the fence tobe constructed with diiferent numbers of strands of wires at differentdistances apart. The wide ends of the wedge-shaped flanges face in thedirection of the starting end of the fence and serve to prevent theboxes from being displaced by contact with the pickets during theprocess of construction. f

The twisting-heads consist of the cylindrical sleeves F, provided attheir front ends with annularfianges, whichare toothed, so as to formsprocket-wheels G. The front ends of the cylindrical sleeves areprovided with inwardly-extending perforated lugs H, and about midway oftheir lengths the said sleeves are provided with transverse braces I,serving to separate the wires which are to be threaded through theperforations in the lugs H. The twisting-heads are mounted by theircylindrical sleeves F, so as to revolve freely in the boxes D.

The frame A is provided with a laterallyextending arm or bracket J,which may be connected with one of the side pieces of saidV framebymeans of a brace K, and at the outer end of which isv journaled a shaftL, having a squared post M, upon which an. operatingcrank may beadjusted, and carrying a sprocket-wheel N.

O is a chain passing over the sprocket-wheel N and over thesprocket-wheels G at the front ends of the twisting-heads, all of whichmay be simultaneously operated by the operation of the wheel N, which iseffected by means of the crank or handle adjustable upon the shaft L.The sprocket-chain will also serve to retain the twisting-heads inalignment and to prevent their withdrawal from their respective boxes orbearings. Other simple well-known means may, however, when desired, beemployed in addition to retain the said twistingheads securely in theirbearings.

Hinged or pivotally connected to the upperr 1 and lower ends of one ofthe side pieces of the" I oo grooved wheels orpulleysSS. Thelower end ofthe frame A is provided with a supportingwheel T, adapted to.travel upona plank or track U, which is placed loosely upon the,

ground in the path of the machine as the latter progresses duringoperation. It will be seen that the arms P P, with the pivoted blocks Q,Q, will readily adjust themselves to any in equality in the ground whilethe machine progresses, thus enabling the main frame A, as well as theshaft R, to be readily maintained in a true vertical position, thuscausing the pickets to be woven vertically into the fence withoutsagging on account of any inequalities in the ground.

Any tendency of the twistingframe to tilt or sag will be resisted by thearms P, having the pivoted blocks Q, and the spacing-bar R, having thepulleys S, engaging the felicewires, which have been stretchedsuiiciently taut to prevent sagging.

It is evident that by the construction de scribed any tendency ot' thetwistingframe to tilt would draw the top and bottom wires of the fencetoward each other, and the wires, being stretched and held taut,will, inconnection with the devices described, steady the twisting-frame andmaintain it in a vertical position.

V designates the tension-trame, which is composed of a pair of sidepieces W XV, connectcd by bolts X, provided at their outer ends withthumb-nuts Y. The side pieces W are provided with bearings for theshafts or spindles X, having' cylindrical drums il, which are providedat their inner ends with iian ges 3. lVash ers l, havin glaterally-exten din g lu gs 5, are secured by means of the said lugs tothe side pieces NV at the outer ends of the drums 2, which latter aremounted revolubly upon the circular flanges or projections (5, formedupon the faces of the washers et. The

,outer ends of the shafts or spindles X, which are formed integrallywith the drums, are squared, as shown at 7, so as to afford seats for acra-nk or handle by means of which the said drums may be convenientlyrotated. Under the thumb-nuts Y are placed washers S and 9, one of whichis made of metal, while the other is of leather, rubber,orother elasticmaterial. It will thus be seen that by tightA cning the thumb-nuts Y thetension upon the drums 2 may be adj usted and regulated to any desiredextent.

The tension-frame is in practice connected by means of twisted wirebails l0 with a stake 11, driven into the ground at a suitable pointsomewhat beyond the end of the proposed line of fence.

The twisting-frame A is provided with a suitably-arranged handle l2, bymeans of which it may be conveniently grasped and manipulated duringoperation, and it is provided at its upper end, on its rear side, with asuitably-Constructed spring 13, forming a scat for the upper end of thepicket which is being operated upon.

1l designates a suitably-constructed reel adapted to hold anordinarybale of wire from which the material for constructing the fenceis to be taken. lhe said reel is to be placed upon the ground closelyadjacent to the tension-frame, and the wire is taken from said bale,carried along the line of the fence until the twisting-frame is reached,and one turn of the wire is then taken around the groovrd wheel orpulley S at the upper end of the vertical shaft R. The wire is thenthreaded through the upper twisting head, and is finally secured bystapling, as shown at 15, to the upper end of the iirst post 16 of thefence. The wire is then cut at a point close to the bale, and a secondstrand is carried along the line of the fence, threaded through theuppermost twisting-head, and secured by stapling to post 1G. The two topstrands of wire, which are designated by 17 and 18, having thus beenplaced in positiomthe two bottom strands 19 and 20 are similarlyadjusted, a single turn of the strand 19 being taken around thegroove-wheel S at the bottom of the vertical shaft R before the saidwire is threaded through the lowcrmost twistinghead and secured to thepost.

Upon the drums 2 of the tension-frame are coiled the wires 2l, the freeends of which extend in a forward direction and have the blocks orpulleys 22 suitably attached thereto. It is obvious that the drums 2should correspond in number and arrangement with that of thetwisting-heads in the frame A. After the uppermost strands of wires 17and 18 have been placed in position, as described, one of said wires ispassed around the uppermost pulley 22, and the extreme ends of the saidwires are then passed through perforations 23 in the ends of a plate orlink 2i and bent or twisted, the ends of the wires 17 and 18 being thustemporarily connected. In like manner one of the bottom wires l!) or 2Ois passed around the lowermost pulley 22, and their ends connected bymeans of a link or plate 24. 'lhe intermediate pairs of strands of wiresare next placed in position in a precisely similar manner, saidintermediate strands being, however, threaded directly through thetwisting-heads, no grooved pulleys being provided upon the verticalshaft R for the said intermediate strands. It will be seen that the topand bottom wres,wl1ich are passed around the pulleys S S, tend tomaintain the twisting-frame in a true vertical position without impedingthe progress of said frame over the ground in the process ofconstructing the fence. It will also be seen that the arms P, beingconnected pivotally or by means of hinge-joints to the frame A, willadjust themselves automatically to any inequalities in the ground, andthat the shaft R, being mounted in pivoted bearings, will likewiseadjust itself automatically.

Frein the foregoing description, taken in the operation and advantagesof my inven- IOO IIO

tion will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which itappertains. It

. will be noted that, owing to the peculiar construction of thetwisting-heads, the strands of wire of each pair will beheldsuliiciently apart to admit of the convenient insertion of the picket.By operating the shaft L` by means of its crank or handle the wires maythen be twisted in front of said picket, so as to retain it securely inposition. The twistingframe is then moved in a forward direction, so asto admit of the insertion of the next picket into the bites of thewires, after which the twisting-frame is jerked forcibly in a rearwarddirection, so as to ram' the picket into position, the spring at theupper end of the twisting-frame affording a seat for the upper end ofthe picket. The shaftL is now operated in the reverse direction, thustwisting the wires in a direction opposite to that inA which .they wereformerly twisted and causing the strands between the twistingframe andthe tension-frame to reassumea parallel position. The number of twiststo the wires and the distance between the pickets may be regulated bythe number of revolutions given to the shaft L. As'the machineprogresses, the tension upon the wires may be regulated by tighteningthe thumb-nuts Y upon the tension-frame to any desired extent, and itwill be seen that the wires of each pair are always evenly strained,owing to the arrangement of the equaliZing-pulleys 22. The constructionof myimproved fencemachine is simple and inexpensive, and it may berapidly and successfully operated by one man.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby,Letters Patent, 1s-

l. In a fence-machine, the twisting-frame comprising a pair of verticalside bars connected by transverse clamping bolts and having wedge-shapedrecesses, in combination with the beveled or wedge-shaped boxes meuntedadj ustably between said side pieces and the twisting-heads journaled insaid boxes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a fence machine, the herein described. twisting-frame, comprisingthe side pieces connected by clamping-bolts and thevertically-adjustable boxes having the twisting-heads journaledrevolubly therein, in combination with a spring connecting the upperends of said side pieces and affording a seat for the picket which isbeing operated upon, substantially as set forth.

3. In a fence-machine, the combination, with the twisting-frame, of thelaterally-extending pivoted arms and the vertical shaft journaled at theouter ends of said arms and provided with grooved wheels, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a fence-machine, the combination,

with the twisting-frame, of the laterally-extending" arms hinged orpivoted to the upper and lower ends of said frame, the blocks hinged orpivoted to the outer ends of said arms, and a vertical shaft journaledin said blocks or boxes and provided with grooved wheels or pulleys nearits upper and lower ends, substantially as herein set forth.

5. In a fence machine, the herein described tension device, comprising apair of vertical bars or side pieces, clamping-bolts connecting the sameand provided with thumb-nuts at their outer ends, the drums or cylindersprovided at their inner ends with annular flanges and having integralvshafts or spindles, and the washers having laterally-extending lugs andprovided 011 their faces with circular iianges or projections formingbearings for the outer ends of the cylindrical drums, all arranged andoperating substantially as and for the purpose set forth. A

6. The combination of the tension-frame, the clamping-bolts havingthumb-nuts, the `metallic and the elastic washers interposed betweensaid thumb-nuts and the adjacent side piece of the frame, the drums orcylinders having integral shafts or spindles, and the plates or washersadapted to be mounted upon the inner sides of the side pieces of thetension-frame and affording bearings for the outer ends of the drums orcylinders, substantially as and for the purpose herein set forth.

'7. In a fence-machine, the combination of the twisting-frame havinghinged arms, a vertical shaft journaled at the outer ends of said armsand provided with grooved wheels or pulleys, the equalizing-pulleysarranged to support the free ends of each pair of fencewires, and thelinks or plates connecting the free ends of each pair of wires,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

S. The combination of the twisting-frame having hinged arms at its upperand lower ends, the vertical shaft journaled at the outer ends of saidarms and having grooved wheels, the tensiondevice comprising a set orseries of single wires and means for regulating the tension upon thesame, the equalizing-pulleys, attached to the outer ends of said singlewires and adapted to support the free ends of each pair of fence-wires,and thelinks or plates connnecting the free ends of said fence-wires,all arranged and operating substantially as and for the purpose hereinshown and specilied.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto afiixedmy signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM l-I. MCGREW.`

Witnesses:

H. F. UNDERwooD, STEPHEN D. CARPENTER.

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